Q&A with Dave Reynolds, the top sportswriter in Illinois

I graduated from Iowa State University in 1977 and worked for three  years in the sports department of the Ames Tribune, the final year as the sports editor. From there, I worked two years in the sports department of the Des Moines Register before moving to Peoria in 1982 where I’ve been ever since. With the Journal Star, I’ve covered a variety of sports from high schools to Major League Baseball. My primary beat since 1990 has been Bradley University men’s basketball. I haven’t missed a game, home or road, in that time period – 647 consecutive games, to be exact. While that speaks largely to good health and good plane connections, I’m proud of the streak for what it says about a commitment to work and to continuity for our readers.

It’s more difficult to break into the business now compared to when I was coming up. But I think the qualities that sports editors look for in aspiring sportswriters are the same – 1. a strong work ethic; 2. a willingness to take on any kind of sport or story, and 3. the ability to objectively and accurately portray both sides of a story. Knowledge and background of the games/sports are helpful, but probably the least important quality. Obviously, the ability to write colorful, interesting copy is a plus moreso in sports than in news writing. Given the nature of what we cover,  we have more latitude to break away from the pyramid style. That kind of freedom, while still covering the basics of the event, certainly makes game coverage more interesting to me as well.

No one story really stands out, but a few come to mind when I think of the thousands I’ve written. One was my first prize-winner – a feature story on an Iowa State male gymnast and his pursuit to make the U.S. Olympic team. He didn’t make it, but as a black athlete in an overwhelmingly white sport, it was a compelling topic.  Another was a game story on an upset basketball victory by Bradley over Illinois. Since the game was in Las Vegas, it wasn’t over by deadline. So it was the first game story I wrote exclusively for the Web page. Another was a miraculous last-second victory by Bradley in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament that clinched the team’s first NCAA tournament berth in eight years. Finally came one that I wrote from watching a baseball game on TV on my day off. It was a poem about Albert Pujols’ game-winning home run for the Cardinals in the playoffs. That one probably got more positive response from readers than anything I’ve ever written.

When I started, I was attracted to the competition and the thrill of the contest. As time has gone on, I’ve come to understand much better the entire scope of sports – the business, medical and legal aspects, as well as the mental and psychological sides of the athletes and coaches.  My stories now are probably less idealistic. That may be the natural aging process playing a part as well.

Confrontational issues with sports management, coaches and players. I’ve always tried to maintain a professional relationship with the people I cover and not get too close or too friendly. That helps when it becomes necessary to broach the inevitable negative issues that must be addressed. I’m not confrontational or argumentative by nature so it’s not easy for me. I usually try to ease into the tougher questions with some neutral ones to soften the subject a bit and maybe get more cooperative answers.

Voting for the NSSA state awards is done by NSSA members respectively by state. So, Illinois sportswriters who belong to the organization are the ones who nominate and vote for the Illinois candidates. I didn’t belong prior to winning the first award. It’s more of a reputation award from your peers. In my case, longevity and familiarity with voters probably didn’t hurt. Considering the award went to Chicago sportswriters for 49 of 51 years before I received it the first time, I’m truly honored to have even been nominated.